20 Western teams to face 13 from Asia

20 Western teams to face 13 from Asia

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Twenty teams from Europe and the Americas have confirmed their entries in the Nations Cup at Royal Selangor Golf Club here next week, the Asian PGA announced Wednesday.

They will face 13 nations from Asia from Sept. 27 to 30 for six prized spots in the EMC World Cup in Japan in November.

The Nations Cup is the sole qualifying tournament for the World Cup this year after the International Federation of PGA Tours decided to combine the Nations Cup and Asian Nations Cup into one event.

German pair Alex Cejka and Thomas Gogele, who teamed up to finish seventh in the World Cup last year, and Italy's Costantino Rocca and Emanuele Canonica will provide European star appeal.

The 44-year-old Rocca, a six-time winner on the European Tour, will be aiming to qualify for his 11th World Cup appearance with a partner who has won the driving distance category on the European Tour for the past three seasons.

Colombia, who won last year's Nations Cup in Jamaica, have retained half of their winning combination, with Jesus Amaya finding a new partner in Angel Romero.

The Nations Cup will see fourball better ball being played on the first and third days and foursomes on the second and final days. The same format is played in the World Cup to be staged at The Taiheiyo Club in Japan from Nov. 15 to 18.